Alexandria, Virginia (USA) | August 7, 2025 – In yet another proud moment for Indian chess, Velammal Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai clinched the gold medal at the 2025 FIDE World Schools Team Championship, completing the tournament with a perfect score.
The event, held from August 2–7 at Episcopal High School near Washington, D.C., featured elite school teams from across the globe. Velammal’s young masters proved unstoppable, winning all eight of their matches and securing the title even before the final round began.Podium Finishers
🥇 Gold – Velammal MHS School (India)
🥈 Silver – National School of Physics and Mathematics (Kazakhstan)
🥉 Bronze – The Harker School (USA)
Standout PerformancesPranav K. P. (Reserve Board) delivered a flawless 8/8 score, joining Imangali Akhilbay (Kazakhstan) and Edisa Berdibaeva (Kyrgyzstan) as the only players to achieve perfect individual results.
Velammal’s consistency across all boards was unmatched, with strong wins against top-ranked teams from Europe, Asia, and North America.A Legacy of ChampionsVelammal MHS has been a cradle of chess talent for years, producing Grandmasters like:R PraggnanandhaaD GukeshLeon MendoncaVaishali RameshbabuThe 2025 win adds to their growing legacy, cementing their reputation as one of the world’s leading chess nurseries.More than Just a ChampionshipThe tournament ran alongside the Smart Moves Summit, a global conference promoting chess as a tool for education, emotional growth, and critical thinking in schools. Experts, educators, and chess icons discussed integrating chess into learning systems worldwide.
Why This Win MattersThis is more than a victory.it’s a testament to India’s rising dominance in youth chess and the importance of school-level support for nurturing talent.
Velammal’s success is likely to inspire a new generation of players across the country.Final Words:From Chennai to Washington D.C.,
Velammal MHS has once again shown the world that India’s chess future is in safe—and brilliant—hands.
